Issue - meetings

This reports seeks approval for the freehold disposal of Amber House and workshop, Galmanhoe Lane, York.

Note: When this agenda was first published there was a mistake on Annex 1 to this item (the plan).  This error was corrected on 12 February 2007.

RESOLVED: (i)         That Option 1 be approved and that Amber House and the associate workshop be approved for freehold sale by informal tender.

REASON:      To obtain a capital receipt, which will support the capital programme.

                        (ii)        That the sale be completed subject to the granting of outline planning consent for residential development.

                        (iii)       That the sale only be completed if the best offer is at or above the reserve figure.

REASON:      To ensure that best consideration is received for the property.

                        (iv)       That approval be given to vire £6,525 in lost rent from the provision in the general fund budget to the commercial property rental budget, pro rata, from the date of sale.

REASON:      In order to compensate the commercial property portfolio budgets from the provision held corporately for this purpose.

Members considered a report which sought approval to dispose of the Council’s freehold interest in Amber House and workshop, Galmanhoe Lane.

The property had been leased to York Archaeological Trust for use as a conservation laboratory and workshop.  It was currently in a poor state of repair The sale was included in the 2007/08-2010/11 Capital Receipts Programme, as approved by the Executive on 16 January.

  Three options were available, namely:

Option 1 – dispose of the property on the open market

Option 2 – let the property on the open market.

Option 3 – utilise the property for Council use

Option 1 was recommended, as it would produce a receipt to support the Council’s capital programme.  Option 2 was not recommended due to lack of demand and the cost of bringing the building to a suitable standard.  Option 3 was not recommended as no alternative Council use had been identified.

The press and public were excluded from the meeting for part of this item (Minute 153 refers), during which time Members questioned Officers on the reserve sale figure in Annex B to the report.

RESOLVED: (i)         That Option 1 be approved and that Amber House and the associated workshop be approved for freehold sale by informal tender.

REASON:      To obtain a capital receipt, which will support the capital programme.

(ii)               That an outline planning application be submitted for residential development of the site.

REASON       To maximise the value of the property.

                        (iii)       That the sale only be completed if the best offer is at or above the reserve figures stated for employment use or residential development.

REASON:      To ensure that best consideration is received for the property.

                        (iv)       That approval be given to vire £6,525 in lost rent from the provision in the general fund budget to the commercial property rental budget, pro rata, from the date of sale.

REASON:      In order to compensate the commercial property portfolio budgets from the provision held corporately for this purpose.